Alfred Aetheling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alfred Aetheling |
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Miniature of Alfred Aetheling in a 13th-century royal genealogy
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| Born | c. 1012 |
| Died | 1036 (aged 23–24) |
| House | House of Wessex |
| Father | Æthelred the Unready |
| Mother | Emma of Normandy |
Alfred Aetheling (born around 1012, died 1036) was an English prince. He was one of the many sons of King Æthelred the Unready, who ruled England. Alfred and his brother, Edward the Confessor, were born to Æthelred's second wife, Emma of Normandy.
Later, their mother Emma married King Canute, who became their stepfather. This meant Alfred and Edward were involved in the big power struggles for the English throne. These struggles happened both when Canute first became king and when his rule ended.
Life in Exile
In 1013, England was under attack by the Danes. King Æthelred and his family, including young Alfred, had to leave England. They found safety in Normandy, a region in France.
Æthelred returned to the throne in 1014 but died two years later, in 1016. Soon after, Canute of Denmark conquered England. Alfred and Edward stayed in Normandy. They lived at the court of their uncle, Duke Richard II of Normandy. There were even plans for Duke Richard to help his nephews invade England and take back the throne.
A Dangerous Return
In 1035, King Canute died. His death caused a lot of uncertainty about who would rule England next. This was a chance for the old English royal family, the House of Wessex, to try and get the throne back.
Alfred Aetheling decided to return to England. He landed on the coast of Sussex with a group of paid soldiers from Normandy. His plan was to travel to London. However, he was betrayed and captured by Earl Godwin of Wessex. Alfred was then blinded, meaning he could no longer see. He died very soon after this terrible event.
After Alfred's Death
When Harthacnut became king, he was Alfred's half-brother. Harthacnut held Earl Godwin responsible for what happened to Alfred. Godwin swore that he had not wanted the prince to be blinded. He said he had only followed orders from King Harold, who was king before Harthacnut. To make up for it, Godwin gave the king a warship with eighty fighting men.
Many people, especially Alfred's brother Edward, believed Godwin was guilty. When Edward became king in 1042, the House of Wessex was finally back on the throne. Alfred's death was a major reason why Edward and many other English people deeply mistrusted Earl Godwin and his sons.
